Westbank, British Columbia

Westbank, British Columiba nearly has its own history that's evidently traced to nearly 100 years, and contributes to the West Kelona History. One of the very first settlers that resided within this area were known as ingenious people forming the Native Aboriginal Culture of Okanagans. These people had eventually became known to go by the name Okanagans, who were self governing aboriginal citizens of Westbank, British Columbia, Canada. Shortly after things would change as the 1876, colonization took place, which led to the imposition of the Federal Indian Act. Communities which were made along the side of this had mainly thrived on hunting, fishing, gathering, and trading that took place. The Native Aboriginals that were commonly referred as Okanagans, were very productive and had developed resource management practices by being well organized. Each of these areas would also have their own appointed chief in which Charlie Sookinchute became the first known chief that had contribute his efforts towards Westbank, British Columbia, Canada.

As time progress, it was before Westbank became a settlement area that had become notice as an early trading center. Most of this had taken place during 1811, which shortly after it became an area where fur traders met on the Old Caribou Trail. This trail was rather situated in Cairne at the corner of main street, and the old Okanagan Highway.

Several names would become adapted before the name would be change to Westbank, and the very first name was referred as MacDonald's Plain. MacDonalds Plain (Westbank), was rather a small town at this point that was named after an officer who work for the Hudson Bay Company. The Hudson Bay Company was rather considered as one of the biggest fur traders to have operated under British Control in Canada. It was by 1848, when this name became forgotten as this was due to the abandonment of the Okanagan Bridge Trail that was followed by the settlement of International Boundary within the same year.

Efforts towards making peace with the aboriginals was made at this time as the very first white woman to reside here was Susan Allison. She had additionally made her way in to the area in 1872, which resulted in her residing at Westbank. Another change was made within the same year as Susan Allison had started calling this settlement Sunnyside

Sunnyside was rather a settlement that would last from 1872 to 1881, that was caused by a major disaster. It was during this time period when nearly 1,000 cattle had pass on due to the extreme winter that came in 1880, and the Allison's were officially gone from Sunnyside by 1881. It was during this time period when Sunnyside was shortly lost and forgotten, and no one had remember its history that was long told. Before this had all happen, it was also reported that the first white child was raise in Westbank by Okanogan Lake as Susan Allison had gave birth in 1872, to her fourth child.

Westbank had came to existence when Robert Goldie had pre-empty the flat which was once known as MacDonald's Plain in 1890. It was at this time when Mr. Goldie had built his very own home in what he had called Westbank at the time. His newly developed house would only last for so long before it to had become abandoned, and is apparently still standing to this day on Elliot Rd in Westbank.

The Native Aboriginals would eventually step forward as Reserves in British Columbia were largely set side by the crown through joint provincial and federal reserve commissions in the late 1800's to the early 1900's. It was at this point in time when commissioners became establish within the area as they traveled the length and the Breath of the province to establish reserve lands for the Aboriginal Natives.

Within the 1930's, Westbank and its area was being widely prosecuted and explored that resulted in establishing small scale mining projects. Not much was generally found within this area as erratic gold and silver values had cause many of these mines to fold their operations. Over the years, exploration work had also been conducted that only resulted in low grade gold and silver values. Westbank would shortly after see a spike towards it population growth from the beginning of the 1930's to the early 1940's. Exploration work has typically progress in this region from the 1960's to the 1990's, before work was given up on this property.

Aboriginal Resertves that were establish in Westbank and Kelona, British Columbia, Canada, became apart of the Okanagan Indian Band that was located near Vernon, British Columbia. It was prior to the early 1960's, when there was approximately 170 Band members that had resided within Westbank, and their general feeling was that their general concerns were not address. This aboriginal community only had one member on seat so there was limited impact and influence on decision making. It was the committee of Westbank members that included Norman Lindley, Ted Derrickson, Margaret Derrickson, Mary Ann Eli, Francis Swite, and Bert Wilson who struck to begin process of separation from the Okanagan Indian Band. It was on October, 18, 1963, when it became officialize and the Westbank Indian Band was deemed as an independent band. In addition to this, Westbank's lands were shortly after designated Tsinstikeptum Indian Reserves Nos. 9 and 10, and Mission Creek Indian Reserve No. 8. Mr. Norman Lindley was also elected and appointed as the first chief of Westbank along with Margaret Derrickson and Harry Derrickson as councillors.

Development was fairly scarce in Westbank during the 1960's, and much of the surrounding areas were experiencing steady growth. In order to up the population, it was recommended to hire a consultant to develop a land use plan in 1973, which was subsequently updated in 1978, that came with an objective. The objective at this time was aimed at establishing a land use policy framework, and to provide a process which would serve as a guide to the band council, locatees, and developers. This also had resulted in developing a series of regulations that would be enforce under the by-laws framework.

It was on January, 14, 1974, when major impacts were upheld by Westbank First Nation members as they would vote in favour of surrendering 177.3 acres of IR No. 10 Reserve for a 99 year lease of Lakeridge Park residential development. It was also within that same time period when the Indian Affairs office in Vernon, British Columbia, had closed down. For the most part, this had resulted from members that surrounded Indian Bands which had demanded that the dollar could be better utalize by administrating their own programs at the Band Level.

By the 1970's, it was shortly after confirmed that Westbank was looking at options for a self government. Prior to the 1980's, Westbank would oversee assuming delegates land management powers from Canada. Development at the time resulted in forming a subdivision that on Indian Reserve # 9 in 1981, and the work that was completed included construction towards paved roads, Hydro, Gas, Telephone, and Cable. It was at this time when a 66,000 Imperial gallon reservoir became installed in order to provide the needed water supply to Westbank. Within 1982, Westbank was well off when twenty-four new homes were constructed, and it was by 1986, when a number of Band Member housing units had grown to 84 from only 26. Population of Band Members had also grown as their were more than 255, which 198 had resided on reserves land. Further construction was also followed in 1987, when the Aquatic Center was built by the community of Westbank as a memorial to Johnson and Bentley families who had tragically lost their lives. Tempers at this time had also rage as their was heated discussions on where the pool will be built, as it was choose to construct it on Mt. Boucherie Complex or Downtown Westbank, which caused a rift between some residence.

Westbank is also commonly border by mountains to the west and Okanogan Lake to the east. Westbank has also grown over the years as it has several attractions with businesses in wineries, golfing and talented art work with a few antique shops to go with it. Westbank is known for commonly being a lot more quieter and smaller in population than Kelona, B.C that's situated across Okanagan Lake. Some other things that Westbank offers is boating, sailing, houseboating, canoeing, windsurfing, and swimming, and in the winter downhill and crosscountry skiing.

Wine making is one of the biggest sectors within Okanagan, and British Columbia, which take pride in making their excellent wines. It was also ever since when the province had authorized estate and smaller farm gate wineries, which had pop up overtime. Accommodation within Westbank is known to include a wide selection of hotels that are either located in town or nearby, and seasonal camping is offer at Bear Creek Provincial Park. The park offers a wide range of landscapes that are generally made up of rocky lands and soft sandy beaches. It also offers unique style camping with a horseshoe pit and hot/cold showers that are provided along with washroom facilities. A total of 23 km of trails are commonly reported at Bear Creek Provincial Park that allow spectacular views of Bear Creek. For the most part, Bear Creek is known to also flow through the bottom of the tree walled canyon, which brings small flakes of placer gold with it.

For many years Westbank was left as an unincorporated area within the Central Okanogan Regional District. It was following a December, 2007, governance referendum that it became a neighborhood within what is now the District of Kelowna